Fonfara vs Russell NABO Title Bout is Set For May 20, UIC

CHICAGO, IL - For the third time in 2011, 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, will present another chapter in the acclaimed WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT series on Friday, May 20th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

“Our first two shows this year were rousing successes from the sensational bouts in the ring to the huge crowds of Chicago sports fans showing their ‘loud and proud’ support” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.

“Fans know at our events that they will see world class fighters like David Diaz, Donovan George and Andrzej Fonfara in terrific fights. We’ve built a great rep since 1998 of promoting outstanding fights and our last two main events and undercards truly validate that.”

Headlining the WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 card will be a sensational light heavyweight bout between “Chicago’s Polish Prince”, Andrzej Fonfara and the “Fighting Pride of Brockton, Massachusetts”, Anthony Russell, in a ten round battle for the vacant WBO/NABO Title.

This will be Fonfara’s seventh bout at the UIC Pavilion where the massive Polish population in Chicago has turned out in force for each of his fights.

Said Pesoli, “Fonfara just put on a spectacular performance last Saturday night in New Jersey with a fourth round knockout of Ray Smith on the Tomasz Adamek headlined Pay Per View. He’s extremely popular in the Chicago Polish community and we’re thrilled to bring him back for this title fight.”

“Anthony Russell jumped at the chance to come to Chicago and fight Fonfara. There’s only two other fighters I know of that came from Brockton, Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, we’ll see if Russell can uphold the great tradition of boxers from that city.”

The 23 year old Fonfara, riding an eight bout unbeaten streak, brings a record of 17-2-0 (8KO’s) into the battle with Russell, age 26, with a record of 16-2-1 (5KO’s).

Cicero’s Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados will also return to action following his “star in the making” performance against former world title challenger Lanardo Tyner on March 25th.

Taking the bout on just one day’s notice, the 21 year old Granados outboxed and outhustled the vastly more experienced Tyner over eight rounds, much to the delight of the fans in River Grove, Illinois.

‘They scored it a draw which many thought was a fight Adrian won. But it was a case of watching a star in the making. In my thirteen years of promoting I haven’t seen a young prospect perform that well” said Pesoli.

“Chicago fight fans truly now have the opportunity to watch a future world champion’s ascent over the next couple of years” continued Pesoli of junior welterweight Granados, now 5-0-1 (3KO’s).

Also announced for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17 is Franklin Park’s Jaime “The Truth” Herrera. The 22 year old Chicago fan favorite will be featured in a six round welterweight bout.

A former amateur standout, Herrera, 5-1-0 (3KO’s), is looking to bounce back from his first loss on January 28th.

Tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 17, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $30 are now on sale through Ticketmaster ( www.ticketmaster.com , the UIC Pavilion Boxing Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).

Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com . The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.